Advanced Border Processing Centre opens a fourth facility in Port Huron, Michigan - this centre like the first three is conveniently located to service the land border crossings. Watch for more openings of ABpC in 2011, visit www.ambassadorbridge.com for further information

Upcoming Regulatory Actions Affecting Importers, Brokers, Carriers - DHS and the Treasury recently issued a semi-annual regulatory agendas, which include the following actions;

- final rule to reflect the centralization of the continuous bond program at the Revenue Division

- final rule providing for the use of sampling methods by CBP

- postponed until June proposed rule on security programs for large aircraft, other aircraft operators and airports

- final rule removing the regulatory provisions of the Land Border Carrier Initiative Program

- Treasury is looking to publish in the near future a final rule requiring alcohol beverage products to be labeled with nutrient and other information.

At ABpC services are designed based on the carriers' needs. ABpC has designed systems to meet a carriers' unique operational needs to give the greatest benefit to the carrier industry through management, programming and reports. Call Sandi Villeneuve to learn more about these new services at 313-964-0104 ext. 1

October 31, 2010 CBSA implements the first stage of the eManifest initiative. eManifest will require all commercial import trade partners (carriers, freight forwarders and importers/agents) in all modes of transportation (air, marine, highway and rail) to electronically transmit advance trade data to CBSA for risk assessment purposes. eManifest will result in an improved commercial process that rewards compliance with predictable and expedited processing at the border. Don't wait until eManifest is mandatory - start the set up process now - contact Sandi at 313-964-0104 to set up with ABpC for all your eManifest needs.

The use of the itinerant highway carrier code "77YY" will be eliminated on March 31, 2011. Carriers will be required to use a carrier code assigned by CBSA.

President Obama Announces First Steps Toward Implementation of New U.S. Export Control System. The President announced that the Administration released a series of regulations and requests for comment as part of the implementation of the new U.S. export control system announced by the President in August. The Administration is also deploying todays its Export Control Reform Initiative webpage at www.export.gov. It includes a new tool to facilitate compliance with U.S. export control requirements by bringing together, for the first time, the various screening lists maintained by multiple Departments.

USDA - launches a website to inform the public about user fees. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, APHIS, is proposing to remove Canada's exemption from the onerous heat or fumigation treatment required for wood packaging materials entering the U.S.. Comments are due January 31, 2011. CFIA also intends to remove the exemption for U.S. wood packaging materials. When the exemption is removed, pallets, boxes and crates used to ship goods between the U.S. and Canada will have to meet the more stringent and costly ISPM (international standards) guidelines.

Cargo Sealing Guidelines for PIP Members

Whether the importers are PIP members or not, the criticality of having security procedures in place at the point of stuffing/origin to inspect, properly seal and maintain the integrity of the shipping containers and trailers. An inspection process that meets PIP security criteria should be recommended for empty containers and trailers prior to loading the cargo. For more information visit http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security/pip/seals